he claims."

_Smith_--"Where are they? I would like to see just one sheep of that
weight."

_Farmer_--Disgusted and fighting mad--"O, you are too gosh darn smart
for this country."

_Interpreter_--"He says you had better not call him a liar."

_Smith_--"Who in thunder called you a liar?"

_Farmer_--"Well, you had better _not_ call me a liar, either."

_Interpreter_--"He says you can't beat him out of any sheep."

_Smith_--"Who wants to beat you out of your sheep, you chump? I can pay
for all I buy."

_Farmer_--looking silly--"Well that's all right. When did you get out
of the asylum?"

_Interpreter_--"He says he wouldn't think so judging from your horse and
buggy."

_Smith_--"Well, I'll bet five hundred dollars you haven't a horse on
your cussed old farm that can trot with her."

_Farmer_--"Who said anything about a horse, you lunatic?"

_Interpreter_--"He says if you have so much money you'd better pay your
debts."

_Smith_--"You uncultivated denizen of this God-forsaken country, I want
you to distinctly understand I _do_ pay my debts and I dare say that is
more than _you_ do."

_Farmer_--"Well, you are absolutely the crankiest old fool I ever saw."

_Interpreter_--"He says you don't bear that reputation."

_Smith_--"The dickens I don't. I don't owe you nor any other man a cent
that I can't pay in five seconds."

_Farmer_--to his wife--"Great Heavens! What do you suppose ails that
'ere man?"

_Interpreter_--"He says he knows you, and you can't swindle him."

_Smith_ (driving off)--"I think you are a crazy old liar anyhow, and
I'll bet you never owned a sheep in your life."

The reader will be able to form a better idea of the ridiculousness of
this controversy as it sounded to me, by simply reading the conversation
between Smith and the farmer, omitting what I had to say.

The need of capital would of course have prevented me from going into
the live stock business, and the very thought of my being compelled to
work for and under some one else in learning a trade or business, was
enough to destroy all pleasure or satisfaction in doing business. This
caused my mother much anxiety, as it was a question what course I would
pursue.

CHAPTER III

SELLING AND TRADING OFF MY FLOCK OF SHEEP--CO-PARTNERSHIP FORMED WITH A
NEIGHBOR BOY--OUR DISSOLUTION--MY CONTINUANCE IN BUSINESS--COLLAPSE OF A
CHICKEN DEAL--DESTRUCTION OF A WAGON LOAD OF EGGS--ARRESTED AND FINED MY
LAST DOLLAR--ARRIVED HOME